Political football

It can be a blurry line that separates sport and poltics. The higher the standing of Australia in the world game the more we descend into the seedy side of football politics.

What it takes to host a World Cup

Matthew Hall wrote a brilliant blog about what Australia can expect when bidding for the right to host a future FIFA World Cup. I suggest you read it and check out the links he has provided.

Who could forget when the then Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) President, Charlie Dempsey, rather than voting for South Africa to host the FIFA World Cup, abstained and handed the hosting rights to Germany?

We may be somewhat isolated in this part of the world, but we have not been immune from the dirty world of football politics.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) will have many off-field games to play - and win - to gain the right to host a future World Cup.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter (AP Photo: Steffen Schmidt)

Shifting sands of FIFA Confederations

The indefinitive boundary between Europe and Asia has allowed the nations on the border of the two continents to join the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).

Moving further into the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) zone there is Israel, isolated by most of its Middle Eastern neighbours, the Jewish State was not associated with any confederation between 1974 and 1994.

Israeli club sides began playing in European competition in 1991 and became full members of UEFA in 1994.

In fact FFA cited the example of Israel to justify a move into the AFC.

Australia's old stomping ground Oceania is the only FIFA Confederation without an automatic World Cup qualification spot.

The standard of Oceania teams does not justify a full spot, but nevertheless I believe, seeing as FIFA professes to want to develop football across the globe, that OFC should either have one full qualifying spot or be absorbed into a revamped AFC.

One wonders how much politicking would be required for such a major change to the structure of the FIFA confederations.

Iraqi footballers seek asylum in Australia

The Australian Men's Under-23 team recently won a crucial Olympic qualification match against Iraq in Gosford. Breaking news the following day was that three Iraqi players had gone missing and would be seeking asylum in Australia.

The first thought that crossed my mind was, with an election only a week away, how the Federal Government and Opposition would react.

So it seems there will be no bearing on the election, however the future government will have decisions to make, as will FIFA, after the Iraq Football Association indicated they would seek a "severe punishment" for the asylum seeking footballers.

The move into Asia exposes Australia to more countries that can be politically unstable. Perhaps this won't be the first time we'll see national team footballers seeking asylum in this country.

Football funding an election issue?

Shadow Minister for Local Government and Sport, Recreation and Health Promotion, Senator Kate Lundy, speaking on SBS Television's The World Game, indicated that, should Labor be elected to government, they would commit $32 million to football over four years.

The current Coalition Government recently announced that they are prepared to spend $16 million over the same time period.

Both Parties also spend $2.25million per year on football in the form of government grants.

Further media

There is plenty of information out there if you are interested in a more wide-ranging coverage of this topic.

I highly recommend the BBC Documentary Fascism and football (reviewed here), which has appeared on SBS Television in the past.

LATEST COMMENTS

Nice summation Ben.

Matthew Hall's blog is a good read, and there are some wonderful links there (for those who want to get lost in this sort of stuff).

Re the confederations, I'm confident that one day Asia will see the sense in taking over the whole of Oceania. It's not just the extra half spot, which is neither here or there, but it becomes additional leverage (amongst other factors) for that day when Asia asks for a 6th spot - and as I promised the Guardian bloggers a while back - that request will come within 8 years (if an Asian nation can make the top 4 again in the neutral zone of South Africa - wait no more than three years - expect the pampered Europeans to bomb out).

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pippinu

Posted by: pippinu on November 21, 2007 4:35 PM

Personally as much as I dislike it there is no line.
We have to operate as best as possible in this murky world.
At home the mere fact that senator Kate Lundy literally placed a "Political football" at the feet of SBS football fans hits you right between the eyes.
Your passionate about football you see 16 million more from Labour than the Liberals which will help fund the new FFA agenda.
But your Frank Lowy FFA chairman and a big businessman.

I wonder if it occurred to anyone that this "russian" man would have been required to have a passport for his flight, which would indicate that he is polish, and they could simply make use of the 24 hour translation service and he would be out of there in no more than an hour. And this airport wants to facilitate the 2010 olympics? WTF?

__________________
pippinu [add by Canuckie when I see the line]

"There is no other definition of communism valid for us than that of the abolition of the exploitation of man by man."
"The amount of poverty and suffering required for the emergence of a Rockefeller, and the amount of depravity that the accumulation of a fortune of such magnitude entails, are left out of the picture, and it is not always possible to make the people in general see this." - Che Guevara

arnie needs to get the sake, based on this performance and the last performnace.

Posted by: Eddie on November 21, 2007 7:03 PM

Eddie, I presume you mean the sack. When I read "arnie needs to get the sake", I though you were complimenting him and saying someone should shout him a drink after the game! Well done Olyroos, they are the historical way pavers, being the first of our national teams to qualify through Asia. sincere apologies if I have missed anyone else. They really didnít play well vs North Korea although I think this idea of playing on artificial pitches is absolutely ridiculous. You could just see the war the ball bounced and moved much faster of the ground than on a real pitch. Once again over-the-top refereeing, giving fouls away for nothing, wrecking the game, although all I really cared about was the result. Its really interesting in Asian football how much less players get injured, and how much less the stretcher is needed when teams are sitting on the result they need. Must have something to do with being in a positive mind - you know healthy mind, healthy body stuff I guess?

Re the politics and football stuff. It really is amazing how much the two are intertwined in some countries/regions of the world. It has been like this for many years as illustrated in the fascism and football documentaries which are fascinating. Donít want to get political but watching that show gave me another reason to hate Real Madrid. But the politics and football thing is one that frustrates me to high degree about the world game. In this hustle and bustle I often get the feeling that Australia is just a naive minnow, which has been pushed around significantly in the past. Or encounters with the Uruguayans and are ridiculous qualifying circumstances at times points of this.

Sadly the world's best game, is significantly affected by corruption and underhanded political activities, often down to the smallest details. I am going to express my honest opinion and argue that it influences refereeing in some circumstances. I have little doubt that all this pre-game lobbying by opposition coaches to referees regarding us as being over physical and thuggish works to our detriment, as seen in the disgraceful refereeing against us in the World Cup, and worse still the Asian Cup. Too many referees go into games with pre-conceived notions to me. Another example is the revelation that pre-world cup referees discussed cracking down and watching out for Peter Crouch, which just confirmed my suspicion that they do that sort of stuff. For me it is an utter disgrace. Going into games as a ref with pre-game ideas that are favorable or un-favorable towards different teams or players is very wrong at works to the detriment of good refereeing.

The article by Matthew Hall was a very good one. But were does this leave us. Do we roll up our sleaves and get in the mud, or dont and suffer for it. Difficult one, and I cant really see the sporting public of Australia getting to much behind the former option.

As for Oceania, it should never have existed in the first place. I would love to see it incorporated into Asia, as this would make it less a matter of us having to completely adapt to Asia, and not the other way around. This is probably unrealistic, but I donít think that Asia should be allowed to say no to the proposal. Geographically they should just have to accept it. When UEFA was formed, many countries probably wouldn't have wanted them, but their in the region so FIFA put them in that group. Shouldnít it be the same for Oceania and Asia?

As far as the football funding issue goes, I wouldnít be voting for Mr Howard anyway, but that is a substantial difference in the mount of funding. Donít want to make anyone say who they vote for, but would such a large difference in funding affect any of the way floggers vote, regardless of who was offering more? Iím just interested in the affect something like this might have. I would bet that it would affect the way some football fans vote

Posted by: Chris of Brisbane on November 21, 2007 9:36 PM

well what a shocker of a game! Hyphen and Vuka in particular need their legs slapping.Nick Ward again showed us why he can't get a game at QPR, but Troisi is just a delight to watch!That boy has a football brain and is quite rightly compared to Harry,but may become even better.
The NK stretcher comedy was in really bad sportsmanship and that 'Hand-of-god' goal we 'scored' was really only justice for us having to endure so much bad sportsmanship from Asian teams.

I am glad we are now at the Olympics and away from Asian refs (not saying that our own are any good either,mind) who seem to have shown a vested interest in Australia NOT getting to the Olympics.(With the exception of the Singaporean ref last week who was really great)

Anyway Olyroos...well done!!! I am happy for you and happy for me that we won't have to hear GA whingeing about frozen pitches,synthetic pitches and empty stadiums..

Do we really want Graham steering these talented lads even further? Their passing game and ball retention was WOEFUL today.

Posted by: DazzaJapan on November 21, 2007 10:58 PM

Sorry that was meant to say when UEFA was formed many countries wouldnt have wanted Russia, but that their in the region, so must be accepted. Meaning that FIFA should set the grounds for who is in what group, not the individual federations. I really should have proof-reas my comments

Posted by: Chris of Brisbane on November 21, 2007 10:59 PM

a substantial difference in the mount of funding" I never presume Chris 9:36 PM as it could make the arse out of U et moi (tanks Jordan) but do you mean "a" mount as in this here:http://www.rcmpwatch.com/mounties-always-gets-his-man/
funny how just the ones letter can charge what is on the tops.

Posted by: Brickinowesky on November 22, 2007 1:27 AM

A bit of news from overseas...

Boca Juniors have agreed the transfer of Riquelme from Villareal.. Corruption what corruption????? There is no way the money is coming from the tickets which cost between 5 and 25 AUD, but I guess some will be happy just to see a top player returning.

Sony to Wellington Phoenix.. is a very good coup. They seem to be very serious in that which they are doing.

The Liberals may offer less, but the FFA need to generate the money being professional not subsidised.

Argentina lost 2-1 to Colombia in Bogota last night... no one is unbeatable. England v Croatia... well we drew 2-2 so we can prove a point if England can't beat Croatia, and how many Aussies are in their line up I wonder??

Posted by: juanpabloangel on November 22, 2007 5:57 AM

I just read on TWG that Zenit are going to compensate the FFA, not sure how much. If it's a couple of mill, then it's win win! We get the coin to go employ someone who's not an out and out ar$eh0le.

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pippinu

Posted by: pippinu on November 22, 2007 8:54 AM

Posted by: Eddie on November 21, 2007 7:03 PM

The sack? Your being way to harsh on last night performance, sure it was painful to watch but think of the extenuating circumstances:
- 0 degree weather
- two month old synthetic pitch that a day before had been covered in a metre of snow
- a crowd that was 95% + military personnel
- in the communist dictatorship North Korea (not Melbourne)

I can't think of a single person who has grown up in a western country like Australia who wouldn't feel intimidated and a bit distracted from the football they're supposed to be playing.

Yes, we're part of Asia now and need to learn how to deal with this. Just remember that this was this teams first trip there.

Posted by: djebella on November 22, 2007 9:21 AM

"England v Croatia... well we drew 2-2 so we can prove a point if England can't beat Croatia, and how many Aussies are in their line up I wonder??"

juanpabloangel, Croatia won 3-2 v England, but there is no point to prove. Why? Australia lost 1-0 to Argentina in their last match (at home). Whereas, Croatia beat Argentina 1-0 in their last match (neutral). There's no pattern in football. You just need to be able to match it on the day.

***

Football is influenced by so many factors... politics, corruption etc. And that I'm afraid its always going to be the case. Australia have experienced it first hand on the field during the match against Italy (which I'm sorry to say - but they were never going to win anyway). playing in communist countries. And, Australia is even guilty of it to a smaller scale e.g. Mr Lowy and his influence in Sydney FC. The better teams know how to overcome it on the pitch. That's all that matters in the end.

Oh and 2 Aussies in the Croatian line-up, plus a Brazilian, and 2 Germans. How many players of Croatian descent in the Australian team?
And the FFA have been working so hard to discourage ethnicity in Australian football?! Thatís always going to be one of our political crosses to bear.

Posted by: Sunny on November 22, 2007 11:10 AM

Posted by: djebella on November 22, 2007 9:21 AM

This is what makes 2010 in South Africa such an interesting prospect. Look at the 5 most recent hosts:
2006: Germany
2002: Japan/Sth Korea
1998: France
1994: USA
1990: Italy

I'll tell you what - expect the final 4 in South Africa in 2010 to look even more out of the ordinary than it did in 2002 (when both South Korea and Turkey made the final 4).

I can almost guarantee it. Who will grasp this golden opportunity? It could be a great chance for Asia and Africa.

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pippinu

Posted by: pippinu on November 22, 2007 11:20 AM

"England v Croatia... well we drew 2-2 so we can prove a point if England can't beat Croatia, and how many Aussies are in their line up I wonder??"

No offense mate, but when people use comparisons like this it makes me laugh. I remember one guy said we are European champions because we beat Greece 1-0 in a friendly.

Do you realise how much the Croatian team has changed since the world cup>? so many young talented players.. i have a feeling if we faced them now, we would have a much tougher time of it...

and no im not an England fan, so dont accuse me of saying all this just because England lost

Posted by: Dean D on November 22, 2007 11:47 AM

Posted by: pippinu on November 22, 2007 11:20 AM

Can we finally see an African team make it to the top 4?

Posted by: cheech on November 22, 2007 11:53 AM

Ben Willing: That's an interesting question Cheech. I wonder which African Nation has the best chance of making the semis?

Posted by: Ben Willing on November 22, 2007 12:36 PM

I know you've all missed me! Here I am back from a holiday in the southernmost state - and so little about football in the media there!

I'm sorry to see the negative response to the Olyroos' final qualifying game yesterday. I thought the wonderful thing was the way they fought their way back - showed great character against committed opponents that were no mugs, and in very 'foreign' conditions.

I thought Arnold did well - he didn't delay the appropriate changes during the game and his team picked up its act esp in the 2nd half and by the end thy cetainly deserved the point. credit where it's due, please!

It was also good to see this team - and even the Foxsports commentators - showing respect for the opponents, and the team didn't seem fazed by the time-wasting at points in the game.

As for the referee and his assistants, I had no problem overall. The ref allowed the game to flow and he wasn't over-enthusiastic with handing out cards.

And the Olyroos at least had some variety in their approach. I saw the last 10 mins of England's game against Croatia and they seemed to have only one approach - the tired old hoof it up route one and hope for a mistake on the part of the opposition - with no-one attempting to get behind the defence before crossing.

I also thought the criticism of 'the hyphen' was harsh. Yes, he got the runaround during the early part of the game, but he pulled himself together and as he got used to the conditions so his game improved.

And what about Milligan! What a pity he isn't on a longer term contract with FC - in the end he will prbably go to a top team in Europe - let's hope he has good advice and makes sure he's going to get plenty of game time there.

Posted by: eddie reynolds on November 22, 2007 12:47 PM

Posted by: DazzaJapan on November 21, 2007 10:58 PM

I've heard the goal referred to as a 'header' - that seems generous.

2 things. based on the last couple of days in sport:

In the light of again cricket contemplating greater use of video to assist - after Rudi Koertzen sent Kumar Sangakkara on his way - (maybe allowing 'challenges' similar to what they're doing in the tennis with Hawkeyee). I guess, again, it focus's attention that where video exists that may embarrass the umpires/ref's in real time (either to those at home or spectators at the ground) - surely, the poor ump's need to have some capacity to not be hung out to dry. Or - is the post match debate about the correctness of a decision more important than the correctness itself? (I think of AFL with no video ref'ing where in essence this is the case)

Thinking cricket again, they have combatted time wasting via minimum over rates and fining/suspending captains of teams failing to meet requirements. Other football codes manage their 'game time' much more vigorously. What continues to happen (we say it in the Asain Champs) at present is farcical around fake injuries either to chew up time or to have abreather and a drink. Why would it not be a good idea to have a minimum amount of 'game time' per half, and to take 'injury' time out of the hands of the on ground official and place it in the hands of an independant time keeper(s).

[although, again, Nth Korea just showed the best way to defend a 1-0 lead is to make it 2-0, or for Croatia to turn 2-0 into 3-2, i.e. just score another bloody goal you nuffers!!! (yes, I do believe that sports should be won by scoring/hitting 'winners' rather than just 'not losing' the best.]

Posted by: Michael C on November 22, 2007 1:13 PM

# Posted by: djebella on November 22, 2007 9:21 AM

um whats the excuse for the performance against iraq then? which is only a little bit better

hell if u want the olyroos to be embarrased in the olympics, keep him

# Posted by: DazzaJapan on November 21, 2007 10:58 PM

i been calling for his dismissal for ages

Posted by: Eddie on November 22, 2007 1:37 PM

"And what about Milligan!"

Posted by: eddie reynolds on November 22, 2007 12:47 PM

Speaking of Milligan what an interesting ten days or so he will have had ,presuming he plays the next 2 matches for his club.
Last week he was sunning himself on a Terrigal beach before scoring the bullet header against Iraq in front of his home fans, in a place that 3 years ago was a football non-entity.
Then he flies off to the land that time forgot, to play on a melted down Tupperware pitch in Anti-freeze conditions with the Army looking on , his looping header putting us through to Beijing.
Then he's now flying back to face the high flying Roar on Sunday in a crunch A-League match, followed by the extravaganza on Tuesday against the team from the land that forgot there is a rest of the world ,lead by the one man punter puller from every demographic of life "Becks" part owner of every type of magazine on Earth.

Posted by: Odin on November 22, 2007 2:38 PM

um whats the excuse for the performance against iraq then? w
Posted by: Eddie on November 22, 2007 1:37 PM

I am not massive Arnold fan, but fark, credit where it is due. Iraq wasn't pretty on Saturday night but pretty doesn't always win crunch games. I personally have bemoaned our past failings at the set piece. I like the fact these guys can score from them. How many goals did we concede in qualifying? One?

He made positive substitutions to chase the game after going one down, Burns early for Broxham and Ward at 60 odd minutes.

"Our ball control was WOEFUL". Yep you are right, but not having played on an artificial surface in my life I would not know how difficult it is. Given these guys had one session in the Shire and one on half the pitch the day before the game, their control and comfort on the surface should have been much better. How did you find your last experience on an artificial pitch, playing in zero degree temps infront of a few hundred communinst soldiers in one of the poorest, most suffering countries in the world?

GA and the Olyroos required 4 points in 2 games to reach the Olympics and duly delivered. I don't think GA is the answer but try and put the knives away for at least a few minutes.

Posted by: Hutcho on November 22, 2007 3:15 PM

# Posted by: Hutcho on November 22, 2007 3:15 PM

and again how can you excuse the performance at central coast.

Arnie did make positive substitutes, but the amount of pressure he puts on the players to keep the ball on the sidelines by shouting at them, and the players performance on the field does not match.

i douby, the experience on the artificial pitch, zero degree temp and the soldiers had anything to do with the iraqi performance.

If he won ugly at central coast, but if the players kept the ball better I wouldn't have said anything either. Its the mire fact that they aren't doing that and giving away possession cheaply, and pretty much not constructing anything in attack is a major reason why he needs to get sacked.

Remember how the dutch hated Dick as head coach in holland even he got the results? its excatly the same thing.

We were lucky to quailfy and if arnie had lost that game u will be singing a different tone.

Take arnie away from our football future now, before he embarrases them on the international stage in beijing.

Wait if we fail in Beijing, let me guess u gonna blame on the commies as well?

Posted by: Eddie on November 22, 2007 4:32 PM

# Posted by: djebella on November 22, 2007 2:55 PM

with luck, name one moment we constructed anything from back to front

Posted by: Eddie on November 22, 2007 4:33 PM

Posted by: Brickinowesky on November 22, 2007 1:27 AM

HEY!

Canuckie, back the fark off. I may not have much time to post anymore but I'm still reading.

There's only 1 Brickowski.

Posted by: Brickowski on November 22, 2007 4:35 PM

Posted by: Eddie on November 22, 2007 4:32 PM

Read the post, I state he is not the answer but don't let that get in the way of your rant. I do not attempt to make excuses for Saturday, they were ordinary but won the game. Sometimes pretty football does not get results. I would prefer at this stage to focus on the achievement rather stick the knives in. You pour on the negative tripe but it is all directed at the coach. No responsibility on the players?

"blame the commies", try taking what I wrote in context rather than picking random words out here or there.

Posted by: Hutcho on November 22, 2007 5:16 PM

There's only 1 Brickowski.

Posted by: Brickowski on November 22, 2007 4:35 PM

I hope you have the free time to posts some more.
Always like your thinking.
I was wonder where you were.

Posted by: Canuckie on November 22, 2007 5:39 PM

Olyroos...
I am sorry to be a stick in the mud with the Olyroos performance.

But, I think we were a bit lucky to advance thru to Beijing. It astounded me to see our boys after getting the equaliser to play at the back the way they did to finish the game.

All credit to Milligan in getting the goal and a real captains performance up to that point...

But, from that point on I thought he started to loose composure, and showed his naivety in the way he would continually pass back to the keeper, who in turn would delayed a bit before he hoofed it back up field only for the Nth Koreans to launch another attack..

I saw on a few occasions he had the opportunity to pass out square to unmarked players wide but chose to make some unnecessary passes back to the keeper; who was forced to thump it back up field only for Nth Koreans to regain possession to launch another attack..

This to me was totally senseless and stupid football.. He should have been calling for players to drop back and in fairness to them their were some who were in the vicinity to receive the ball from him but chose to ignore their presence only to pass back to the keeper to thump it up field over and over..

Very dumb I thought to do that.. In a case like that he should have demanded from his players to come back and close the game down, and keep possession instead of giving the ball away time and time again..

Now before someone takes me to task I can name two ex Olyroos who showed more composure at the same age then he did; they may have been even younger..

Ned Zelic and Paul Okon.. But I hope someone gets into his ear to point out that flaw in his game.. Other wise pleased with the result..

~~~~~
KB

Posted by: Koala Bear on November 22, 2007 7:35 PM

# Posted by: Hutcho on November 22, 2007 5:16 PM

like it or not its the coaches responsibility to psych the players. If only because the team is playing in a foregin environment can affect the players performance on keeping the damn ball, then the coach will have to walk.

The reason why I am picking the negatives, is because in tune with the current performances, the negatives far out weigh the positives.

if u read some of the posts I have written earlier, in the koera match here in central coast as well as the lebonon match, I had praise cause they were keeping the ball. So no my comments are not just based on my haterd of arnie, its based on my moral judgement

Self complementary comments are not the way to improve yourself (olyroos).

look, when we embarrase ourselves at the olympic level we shall see what happens

Posted by: Eddie on November 22, 2007 7:42 PM

I thought Croatia would beat England... as the English team is way too arrogant for their own good. I was just making a comparison because we never get to play England competetively... Maybe it would help a few of those EPL fans to watch and support the A-league if we were given the chance to beat England. I really hope England are in our group if both teams make it to the world cup in SA. Could be a struggle to get a ticket for an Ashes world cup game involving the World game!

Posted by: juanpabloangel on November 23, 2007 6:12 AM

Quoted from the paper that has AFL in the front, middle and back pages:

"Meanwhile, FFA is moving quickly to identify its preferred new coach. FFA technical director Rob Baan said the search had narrowed to a three-man short list.

Buckley said it was still an open race and would not rule out any candidates, including Barcelona assistant Johan Neeskens, former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann and former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier. "

I'm not that big on Klinsman being in the list. He was really half-hearted as German coach, relying a fair bit on assistants and always reluctant to leave his Californian home and lifestyle. Like Advocaat, I just can't believe that his heart would be in it. He would not only be attracted by a fat pay cheque, but by a willingness from the FFA to allow him to stay home 8 out of 12 months - a real recipe for success.

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pippinu

Posted by: pippinu on November 23, 2007 10:17 AM

Pippinu,

Agree with you on Klinsmann, with his past I just can't see him wanting to be enthusiastic about getting his hands dirty with Australia.
Great Blog piece on Socceroos coaching dilemma here :http://www.whenballmeetsfoot.blogspot.com/